The distance a car can travel on momentum alone after its engine stops working depends on several factors, including the initial speed, the car's mass, the rolling resistance of the tires, and the presence of external forces such as friction and air resistance. It is difficult to provide an exact distance without specific information about these variables, but I can give you a general idea.
When a car's engine shuts off, the forward motion is sustained by its momentum, which is the product of its mass and velocity. As the car rolls, various forces act upon it, gradually slowing it down. The primary forces opposing its motion are rolling resistance (friction between the tires and the road) and air resistance.
Rolling resistance depends on factors like the tire type, tire pressure, road surface, and the car's weight. It tends to decrease the car's speed gradually over time. Air resistance, on the other hand, increases with speed and becomes more significant as the car moves faster.
In ideal conditions, with minimal rolling resistance and air resistance, a car could potentially travel a considerable distance on momentum alone, possibly exceeding a mile or two. However, in real-world scenarios, the actual distance a car can travel after the engine stops working may be significantly shorter, especially if the car is moving at higher speeds or encounters uphill slopes that further reduce its momentum.
It's worth noting that relying solely on momentum for propulsion poses safety risks, as steering and braking become more challenging without engine power. If your car's engine stops working while you're driving, it is generally recommended to safely maneuver to the side of the road and seek assistance rather than attempting to rely solely on momentum to continue traveling.